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    Small's Bar

    4.3 (46 reviews)
    InexpensiveMusic Venues, Bars
    Closed 8:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Small's Bar Photos

    SMALL'S BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Casual
    Very loud
    Juke Box

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    Recommended Reviews - Small's Bar

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    Reviews With Photos

    Mj J.

    Small's is another Dive Bar in the area. We have been here a few times before for live music and a food pop-up. Today, we were celebrating a Dive Bar Tour on Fat Tuesday. What brought us to Small's....the Paczki BOMB SHOTS!!!! That's right, you heard me....PACZKI BOMBS!!!! Have you every heard of anything more sinfully dangerous? They offered a variety of flavors and many shot options. I would highly suggest you seek this spot out next year. If not for the Paczki, at least for the novelty of this crazy, fun day of gluttony. There was a live band playing in the back room and we had a blast. Our tour of gluttony continues.......on to the next one!

    a man standing in front of a stage
    Rasky B.

    I had a great time with staff, patrons, and the musicians here. It's laid back and a nice stage. A lot of nice posters to view and I was never bored.

    day time outside
    Dea A.

    Why a princess like me likes a divebar like Small's: 1. The owners make this line of rootbeer flavored vodka that is quite possibly the most delicious vodka-like thing I've EVER tasted. And the most I've ever drank without a screaming hangover. Root beer vodka + seltzer = set. They are NOT stingy on the pours either! 2. They separate the stage section and the bar section. Love that. You can have a conversation or rock out with your c**k out. 3. It's got the right hipster to normal people ratio. 4. The guy who takes your cover charge is pretty damn funny. He asked me if I knew what was under V's turban. I told him a pot of gold. 5. Ladies rooms are well... dive bar worthy. 6. Got to see Liz mothereffing Hill and the Modifiers perform on her birthday and it was AMAZEBALLS. Love the crowd, love the people, love the vibe, love the rootbeer vodka (which you can buy right across the street if a day later or so you find yourself having a craving). PS - Rumor has it they make a SWEDISH FISH version of vodka too! They don't sell it across the street but I'm not even sure if they have it at this bar... but SWEDISH FISH VODKA! OMFG! (For the record -- I had at least 4 maybe 6 of these rootbeer seltzer drinks? Yeah... totally not hungover the next day! WIN!)

    front door, from website
    Michael C.

    Small's isn't small! Small's has a retro feel to it, something that I can't explain. It's not the decor (though the ceiling fans are fabulous), or the patrons... just something about the place takes me back. There's three separate rooms to Small's: the main bar room, the mezzanine (where merch usually sells their wares, and a second bar is set up), and the stage room. Some nights there's no music, some nights there's a big show going on. I've seen more than a few shows here. I can say that it's my favorite bar in Hamtramck; the sound system is fantastic, the prices for the shows are fair (around $10), and the bar is stocked full of anything and everything I want. The thing I like the most is that Small's doesn't cater to a single crowd (read as "scene"); I've seen rock shows, ska shows, industrial/goth shows here, and each respective subculture packs the place everytime. It's such a great feeling going to a show that's full (I've done the Alvin's a couple times, and it was quite the contrary) . And now they have WIFI! Why... I'm not sure. But hey, who can argue with free internet? If you have a chance, or you're in Hamtramck looking for a place to have a couple drinks... definitely check out Small's. It's always an awesome time.

    Photo Taken From www.smallsbardetroit.com
    Sara A.

    I love this bar and have been coming to Hamtramck to enjoy the wonder that is Small's for quite awhile. Before I was able to enjoy a beer at the bar, I was coming in to check out some of my favorite local bands. Small's is more than just a music venue, more than just a bar, it's a sort of indie/punk Cheers with the raddest jukebox selection. With everything from Marvin Gaye to the Descendents this is the perfect place to wind down, have a beer, listen to some tunes and engage in some bar banter. The bartenders know their people and they know their drinks. And they book some of the best local bands around. So, whether you stop in for a few cocktail with friends or are enjoying some local music, Small's will indeed leave you satisfied (with some cash left in your pocket, prices are sensible).

    Freddie Morales is an amazing Dave Gahan
    Lisa F.

    What can I say... I met Sonya and Rolando there last night... They are amazing people... Back to the bar.. It was an awesome experience.. I felt like I was back in high school because all that music played last night was all me and still is....Strange love the Depeche Mode Experience was on point to the music.. Lyrics.. Moves.. Sound.. Stage performance and everything... Small's is a uniquely small little corner dive bar. But I bet with tons of awesome stories to go with it... My 23 yo son went with me.. He's into the same music and loved the Depeche Mode guys... Forever a night to remember... I'll definitely be back with my new friends.. Old friends and my son!!!, ty for a great night!!

    I want this on MY wall or a t-shirt or a tattoo or anything!!
    TJ F.

    I enjoyed my self at small's tonight. they have fresh PBR's and a great sound system. Saw a band called "Hobo Gangbang" that claimed it was their first appearance in the D. They were hardcore punk and they freakin ROCKED. The sound was NOT oppressively loud which is generally my main complaint with bars that have live stages. There is a piece of art in the room with the stage that is so incredible (IMHO) that it is worth going to Small's JUST to see that. Great club bring your grandma she likes live punk doesn't she?

    Front door. Taken 9/24/12, Melvins Lite show. Sold out.

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    4 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Cool old rock bar from old Detroit I fucking love this place. Also my names on the wall in the women's bathroom so extra points there

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    18 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Such! A! Cool! Place! I love their 80's nights and Industrial nights! They have an "underground" London feel to me..

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    18 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Been coming here for years. Such a chill hang in the front bar and the sliders are really great! I recommend the thanksgiving turkey one!

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    8 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    15 years ago

    Awesome place for local gigs and drinking with friends. Great sound system and a very laid back atmosphere.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Small's Bar

    Is this venue 21+?

    Some nights, yes. Sometimes 18+ and occasionally all ages. Our website lists the age restrictions for most shows smallsbardetroit.com

    What time do bands usually go on here if doors are at 8pm?

    Between 8:30 and 9:00

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Small's Bar

    I mostly only go Saturday nights when they have "Industrial's not Dead".

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Whiskey in the Jar - Inside of the bar

    Whiskey in the Jar

    4.2(75 reviews)
    0.4 miDowntown Hamtramck
    $

    We kicked off our annual Fat Tuesday celebration at Whiskey in a Jar. We usually start off at the…read moreNew Doge and enjoy the Polish Muslims but they weren't playing there this year. Instead we got to enjoy The Kielbasa Kings! What a fun time!! I was super excited because we haven't been able to enjoy this celebration since pre-covid! But we are baaaaaaccckkk! As usual, we arrived early in the morning. And were one of the first there. We kicked it off with Polish beer and some shots. One of the guys that played in the band went to my highschool and his sister and I know each other so that was a fun surprise! They had a huge tent set up where the band was playing. They made both bathrooms female and brought in a porta potty for the guys. The removed all the furniture so it was standing room only. We got our polka on and had a great time! Great start to the day!!

    This is one great dive bar. Tons of character, cheap booze, a not so fancy but still pretty great…read morepatio out back, etc. It's not fancy here. This is not where you'll get a real upscale craft cocktail or microbrew but the beverages are cold and the price point is right (aka--low). And on Paczki day? It's a real party! They set up a tent and it's chock full of paczki shots! And polka music! And kielbasa and pierogi! And of course, all the Tyskie and Okocim you can handle. Na zdrowie!

    Photos
    Whiskey in the Jar
    Whiskey in the Jar - You could lose time in thugs bathroom taking everything in...lol

    You could lose time in thugs bathroom taking everything in...lol

    Whiskey in the Jar

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    Small's Bar - musicvenues - Updated May 2026

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